Lissa Maki Posts

Poll: What is the best new restaurant in the Duluth area?

Jan 24, 2019 No Comments

In 2017 OMC Smokehouse was voted “Perfect New Restaurant” in our Perfect Duluth Day poll. The popular Lincoln Park establishment will soon be two years old. Since then, an array of eateries have opened and it’s time to name a new champ.

With help from our readers, we amassed a list of 25 recently opened eating establishments. It’s a runoff ballot, so options with the fewest votes slowly dropped off the list. The final three were: Corktown Deli & Brews, Martha’s Daughter and Pak’s Green Corner.

What’s the latest restaurant to win over hearts and bellies?

This poll is now closed. The results were:

Corktown Deli & Brews – 43 percent
Pak’s Green Corner – 33 percent
Martha’s Daughter – 24 percent


Polls, Restaurants

Nominees for Perfect New Restaurant Poll – 2019

Jan 21, 2019 4 Comments

OMC Smokehouse has enjoyed the “Perfect New Restaurant” title since winning Perfect Duluth Day’s poll in July of 2017 with an impressive 82 percent of the vote.

Since a flurry of restaurant activity has happened in the Twin Ports over the past year and a half, it’s time to launch another poll and give new establishments a chance to prove their worth.

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Restaurants

Hiki Hut: Duluth’s little blue sauna on a trailer

Jan 14, 2019 No Comments
Whitney & Kelby Sundquist - Photo by Lissa Maki

Whitney & Kelby Sundquist – Photo by Lissa Maki

A little blue sauna on a trailer began popping up around Duluth late last year. The Hiki Hut has licensing similar to a food truck, but instead of food it’s serving up nourishing doses of heat and steam. Owners Whitney and Kelby Sundquist aim to encourage sauna appreciation as well as cultivate community.

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News and Current Affairs, Outdoors , ,

The New Spurs on First: Just a Little Bit Country

Dec 19, 2018 No Comments
Madeline Petersen and Jona Johnson - Photo by Lissa Maki

Madeline Petersen and Jona Johnson – Photo by Lissa Maki

Two young women recently bought Spurs on First. The entrepreneurs are adding their own flair to the longtime country bar, booking hip hop and rock performers as well as updating drinks and decor.

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News and Current Affairs ,

Cake Bandit: Duluth’s Vegan Bakery

Dec 03, 2018 No Comments
Melissa Story - Photo by Lissa Maki

Melissa Story – Photo by Lissa Maki

Some Twin Ports residents might be surprised to discover Duluth is home to a vegan microbakery. Cake Bandit has been serving up tasty alternatives to traditional baked goods since 2016.

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Restaurants , ,

Guide to Duluth-area Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner

Nov 15, 2018 No Comments

Thanksgiving is arguably the best holiday. It’s an opportunity to be grateful for what you have, eat delicious food and spend time with family (either blood or chosen). There’s no need to buy presents, go to church or decorate the house. The most stressful aspect of the day is the cooking.

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Restaurants ,

Winery provides another reason to visit North Shore

Oct 29, 2018 No Comments
Photo by Lissa Maki

Photo by Lissa Maki

With its rugged terrain and sometimes unforgiving climate, Lake Superior’s north shore seems like an unlikely place for a winery. But that didn’t deter wine connoisseurs Chuck and Kim Corliss from founding North Shore Winery near the base of Lutsen Mountains in 2015.

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News and Current Affairs , , , , , ,

Perfect Duluth Restaurant: Lake Avenue Restaurant and Bar

Oct 19, 2018 No Comments

Though it’s been lauded in Twin Cities publications for years, surprisingly Lake Avenue Restaurant and Bar hasn’t won any local accolades for its cuisine. Until now.

In Perfect Duluth Day’s poll to name the Perfect Duluth Restaurant, Lake Avenue emerged as the clear winner with 48.3 percent of the vote among the top three.

Co-owner Derek Snyder says he was “super surprised and flattered” his restaurant won the poll.

“A lot of Duluthians still don’t know about us,” he said.

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Polls, Restaurants ,

Poll: What is the best Duluth-area restaurant?

Oct 11, 2018 No Comments

With help from readers, we compiled a list of 18 nominees for the best Duluth-area restaurant poll. The final three on the ballot: Duluth Grill, Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar and Va Bene Caffe.

This poll is now closed. The results will be announced soon.


Polls, Restaurants

Perfect Duluth Restaurant Nominations – 2018

Oct 08, 2018 12 Comments

It’s been five years since we polled PDD readers to determine the perfect Duluth restaurant. Since then, the New Scenic Cafe has been the reigning champ.

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Polls, Restaurants

Wasabi Japanese Cuisine to open in Duluth’s Old City Hall

Sep 26, 2018 No Comments

The main floor of Duluth’s Old City Hall will soon be transformed into a sushi restaurant. The owners of Superior’s Wasabi Japanese Cuisine signed a lease on Monday for the space. They anticipate opening this second eatery by the same name in November or December.

The building at 132 E. Superior St. is owned by Rod Raymond of the Just Take Action restaurant group. Since 2011, the main level space has housed three restaurants: Tycoons Alehouse, the Blind Pig, and more recently Sound.

Dennis Kempton, who handles media relations for Just Take Action, says the new Wasabi Japanese Cuisine location will be modeled after its sister restaurant in Superior, which opened in March in the former O’Neill’s Pub & Liquor building at 3333 Tower Ave.

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News and Current Affairs, Restaurants , , ,

Dovetail Cafe to open in October

Sep 20, 2018 No Comments
Bryan French - Photo by Lissa Maki

Duluth Folk School Director & Co-Founder Bryan French outside Dovetail Cafe – Photo by Lissa Maki

If all goes as planned, Dovetail Cafe and Marketplace will open in the second week of October. The unique eatery, housed within the Duluth Folk School at 1917 W. Superior St., will serve up meals made from scratch, products from local vendors and a side of education for those inclined to learn.

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News and Current Affairs, Restaurants , , , , ,

Ursa Minor Brewing opening Sept. 26

Sep 12, 2018 2 Comments
Ben Hugus, Mark Hugus and Andrew Scrignoli - Photo by Lissa Maki

Ben Hugus, Mark Hugus and Andrew Scrignoli – Photo by Lissa Maki

Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District will gain a third brewery by the month’s end. Ursa Minor Brewing, a five-barrel brewery that will also serve wood-fired pizzas, has announced it’s opening Sept. 26.

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News and Current Affairs, Restaurants , , ,

Craft cider coming soon to Duluth

Aug 29, 2018 1 Comment

Duluth will soon have its first, and second, hard cideries. Duluth Cider is planning for a mid-to-late September opening date, while Wild State Cider expects to open before the year’s end.

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News and Current Affairs , , , ,

Perfect Iron Range Restaurant: Vi’s Pizza

Aug 15, 2018 1 Comment

Competition was stiff in the Perfect Iron Range Restaurant poll. After a 36-hour, tie-breaking vote we can officially declare Vi’s Pizza in Biwabik the champion.

In the final poll, Vi’s Pizza had 70 percent of the vote, while BoomTown Woodfire Bar & Grill in Eveleth had 30 percent.

Clearly, no ordinary pizza joint could beat the likes of top contenders like BoomTown and Gilbert’s famous Jamaican restaurant, the Whistling Bird. But Vi’s Pizza is a veritable Iron Range institution.

The original pizza recipe was handed down from owner Kim Mattson’s Italian grandmother. Viola “Vi” and her husband Frank Urick started selling takeout pizzas out of the back of their Biwabik home in 1959.

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Polls, Restaurants , , ,